Best ambient album I've ever heared.

Remember when new age music came around and people were all like "marvelous". Then remember how new-age was decided as being garbage. Then remember how a huge portion of the "indie" music scene is a rehash of previous music scenes. Then remember how another shitty new-age....oh wait sorry..."Rock,Electronic" album was christened holy great album of the century. So now that i have trashed something that so many people love i guess its only fair to state what i like so the rage can come back to me and not be inflicted on someone else. Kaada - Music for movie bikers...kind of like this...but not shitty.… Expand

If you'd like to hear the next stars of the lid album, lie down next to your fridge for about 50 minutes complete rubbish.

It's an album people seem either to love or to hate. So at least it's not a mediocrity, which is probably the worst thing of all. I think it's brilliant.

I'm seeing people discuss this as electronic music. First and foremost, I'd like to point out that while electronic elements are certainly in use here, most of the sound comes from more classical instruments, from clarinets to trumpets to loads of strings, even a children's choir. Part of the allure for me was trying to place those sounds within the recording, which sounds so cold at first that, yes, it could turn people off (and obviously does). But it's called me back more than most other albums that have come out in the past decade, still retaining the air of mystery while my expectations for the melodic changes become more and more filled with excitement.… Expand

Incredible album, every realease of this guys is better and better compared to its predecessors. not foor everyone, but if you like ambient/drone/classical-contemporary music you can't be wrong with this!

I'd like to know what the people who say this record sound like a fridge or whatever would say if they heard some drone which is genuinely lacking in harmony, or even slightly more obtuse than sotl. i mean wtf this is one of the most innately beautiful albums i've ever heard. people who don't like this just don't understand music.

By the numbers new age ambiance with a compulsively depressive bend. All of the incredibly simple, inoffensive and slow moving compositions offer little in the way of dynamism, depth or progression. The song titles are actually more interesting than the songs themselves. Perfect listening for those quiet nights when you need a little help falling asleep.

This is a joke,right? These critics have such a wacky sense of humour.

This would be just a bit below 10 for me. It doesn't surprise me that people are not too pleased with this. But it works in a different way than most music does. Re: is this music? Good question. It's closer to pure sound, and all it suggests seems to matter a lot more than what it explicitly states - it certainly doesn't say a lot. The emotional map for this would probably be completely polarized: either you embrace the warmth or feel just bored. Sure, it's easier to fall asleep to this (and to treat hangover too, it works). So eventually this is really up to the listener because it's most of the time completely abstract (A few expections would be "Humectez La Mouture" which is just jubilant by the album's standards and the melancholy "Tippy's Demise") It really doesn't give you an emotion to deal with in most tunes. It even evades attachment for some and leaves them yawning. But isn't consciousness a boring state anyway?… Expand

Stick to pop music you philistines. This is obviously above you.

Phenomenal

A must for any ambient fan. I listen to this one and "Tired Sounds" all the time when studying and doing homework.

Stars Of The Lid - like many of their fellow ambient acts - are not meant to be enjoyed by everyone. To some, yes, this album is nothing but pointless drone and drawn out notes and sounds. To others, such as myself, this album is a thing of sheer beauty, music that in its deceptive simplicity transports me to another dimension, another realm of feeling. Neither side of the argument is wrong; this is definitely a love/hate album in a love/hate genre. Call me crazy, call me deluded to the truth, but I listen to a lot of other music that would generally be agreed upon to have 'substance', 'progression', and other such terms being thrown around, and none of it has quite the lasting effect of what the very name of the band implies on me: What exists behind closed eyelids, when everything else is quiet, the 'nothingness' between conscious and subconscious. It might lack a bit of the "melodic structure" (if you can refer to anything on their albums as such, thus term used VERY loosely) of 'Tired Sounds Of...', but it's far more effective, at least in my opinion, at just relaxing and clearing my mind, opening up new doors of thought, in a remarkably fluid manner.… Expand

This is beautiful evocative stuff that's almost impossible to be classified in a genre. And I even think it's a good thing that there are voters around to give a 1 or 2 star rating. This music isn't for the masses. It is to be savored in a warm place and be given a spin every now and then. My number 1 for 2007.

It's liking (or pretending to like) this sort of thing that gives critics a bad name.

This is a subtle, beautiful album. People that don't get it probably don't understand a thing about ambient music. For shame.

The album reminds me of what Brian Eno does better, esp. Music For Airports.

Nice Iban. Very thought provoking review "you"wrote there. How about not plagiarizing inches below the review. You just convinced me to buy this.

Yeah its pretty, but how much pretty can a person take?

No it isn't for everyone but anyone who can't put on a pair of headphones, close their eyes and feel washed away by the gorgeous soundscapes must be very hard indeed. I have been listening to it constantly whilst marking 31 SAT papers and it has helped a great deal!

This is just one of the greatest albums ever released in the drone music genre. If you like drone music, chances are you know Stars of the Lid already. If you don't... Well, why are you listening anyway? Drone music uses sustained sounds and is very slow. You've been warned. Stop trolling.

Excellent music for late night pondering. Well, for that matter, it is excellent music for any time of the day!

Well, here's another reason why idiots should not buy a record on a high metascore alone. How hard is it to go to Amazon or Allmusic.com and listen to some samples? A 2 disc, about 2 hour drone album is not for everyone. I don't mean to sound like an elitist jerk, but you have to learn how to appreciate ambient. Albums like these reward patience, and you may have to approach it differently than standard rock or pop. But enough whining and preaching. This is another stunning Stars of the Lid album. It may not show the same kind of evolution as other releases (it is very similar to Tired Sounds, which is surprising given the long break between the two) but that hardly matters, as it carries more emotional weight then most other music out there. SotL are the most signifficant drone composers, and they are still at the top of their game.… Expand

Just returning to this, I didn't get it at first, but this is really a classic, like in fact most Stars of the Lid records.

Number one album for 2007? Surely you jest! I like this album too, but this is far from the title of Album Of The Year. It's pretty much a little-more-than-mediocre ambient album.

Probably my favorite Stars of the Lid album to date. It is stunningly beautiful and introspective and combines the best parts of SotL's past works.

cue backlash.

Indie kids decided that the new vogue was a bunch of random tones slowly fading in and out? Why didn't they send me a memo?!

Apparently, these people complaining about the "electronic nonsense" that "indie kids" listen to are apparently ignoring the works of brian eno, and the past ambient artists that have been around for YEARS. While Stars of the Lid is not Brian Eno, this album is a great modern take on it. Their previous album was better, though, and less repetitive than this. However, I'd suggest Eluvium over Stars of the Lid simply for the added instrumentals and precise beauty of Eluvium.… Expand

It's a bit of an anomaly to include this is a chart. A chart implies competition, winners, et al. This record is to be savoured in the right circumstances and come back to again and again, to allow its nuances to be revealed, and its character exposed. It's not really a 'must buy' for genre hoppers, it's for people who listen to sounds and like to be immersed in drone. It's wonderful.… Expand

This album is exceedingly average, even for its nature as a 2-hour drone piece. It's beautiful, it's peaceful, it's warm, yes; however, it is not special enough to warrant the perfect ratings it is receiving. Also, it has been done before; look at Fripp & Eno's 1973 album No P.ssyfooting. The Stars of the Lid album serves a purpose, but it simply is not exceptional enough to warrant an album-of-the-year award or any such level of acclaim. It is not exceptional enough to lift it that far above any other drone album of its type.… Expand

Wow, this album makes The Field sound like the Chemical Brothers. Can't tell one song from the next.

It's just plain boring, really, isn't it?

Probably the most boring album of the year for most. Arguably the best album of the year for some. Undoubtedly the album of the year for me.

I don't like it as much as their previous timeless outing (a bit too new-agey in places) Nonetheless it's nice to see these guys getting some recognition here (album was released like 6 months ago), their last few albums have contained some of the most moving and affecting music I've ever heard, i esp. love avec laudenum and tired sounds.

Minimalist and beautiful, although I don't think it's the best album of the year. Give that to Radiohead for their strong melodies and lack of fear of experimentation. But as a mind-opening and different experience, yes, slow tones fading in and out with subtle grace and patience do win the day.

This is good music for a snooze. As for it's genius, the critics need to stop being pretentious idiots and take the music for what it is rather than what is viewed as hip.

Like with the Field I have no idea why the critics have taken to likening this record so much, unlike the Field I in fact quite enjoy listening to it.

to quote Gertrude Stein "there's no there, there."

This is one of the most challenging albums I've heard in a long time. The low reviews are unsurprising, since really on the surface, nothing much stands out for the catchy pop mainstream. Some have likened this to new age, and I'm not sure that's a fair comparison. New age music--in the sense that I've been acquainted with it--seems more like the easy listening, un-challenging sentiment you might find in the CD players of people who don't really want to listen to music; they just want to relax. Certainly, And Their Refinement of the Decline works to that effect as well, but actually latching onto its nuances is rather more rewarding than letting it marinate in the background without having much to do.… Expand

Not only is this an inaccessible record but it has no redeeming qualities either. I liked The Tired Sounds of the Stars of the Lid because it had some really beautiful moments on it. Yet this is just so boring and sleep-inducing. 2 hours of absolutely no change. Sincerely, I'm really surprised that people can get to like (and adore) this.

Anyone else think that the low scores are all coming from the same bored dude?

Stars of the Lid still hold a neat position between refined, tasteful ambient and classical instrumentation and composition; and on this record they seem to be leaning further over to the latter. With this in mind I hope this is yet another step in a sound that has been slowly evolving for a decade. There's some soul-crushingly beautiful music on this disc but they could do with cutting it down a bit on to one CD - it doesn't manage to get away with it like Tired Sounds did because it's not so "continuous" and dreamy as that release.… Expand

This album should come pre-packaged with some hard drugs because I'm assuming that's the only way this dreck is enjoyable.

I assume most of the contrarian haters A. don't like this sort of music in the first place and B. didn't actually give it a proper listen. Talk about 'scenes' and 'indie kids' is meaningless; music isn't fashion. If you like Brian Eno's ambient work or modern composers like Gavin Bryars you'll probably enjoy this. It's fine as background/reading music but hearing it in full quality with full attention is the most rewarding way to listen to the album.… Expand

Pretty? Pleasant? It sounds like people need to learn how to listen to other forms of music aside from voice. If voice or repetitive beats are needed to capture your attention, you might want to reconsider voting at all for such an album or genre. This album is simply stunning.

I found this to be pleasant album, the kind of thing you can have on in the background and no one will complain, and one or two people might even inquire as to who the artist is. It's like frosting on a cake, but how much of it can you eat before you want something more substantive. This album, along with Burial and The Field, is vastly overrated by critics. Spoon, Arcade Fire, The National and probably 10 other bands put out albums better than this in 2007, and yet for some reason this is the fourth best album of 2007. Five years from now this will not be an album you are still listening to with any sort of frequency; it will simply be useless space on your iPod. This is a good, not great album, and there are a lot of better artists to support both financially and critically.… Expand

Perhaps the most important music being made today.... Stars of the Lid could just bridge the gap between classical and pop music.

Fantasticly crafted sounds.

usually - when I see a rating this high, I'm skeptical, but I have to say...I agree with all the accolades. This is some of the best ambient music since its beginnings.

If you're looking for the best album of 2007, your search is over. You have found it.

This album licks my balls. It's even worse than The Field and so I guess it makes sense in an ironic way that it beats out that atrocity of an album for best of the year on this web site. The critics need to get a clue that they aren't proving anything by raving about this crap. It's aimless electronic nonsense and anyone with ears and half-decent taste in music can tell you that.

Not sure why this just popped up since its been out since April...In any case its one of my personal favs for the year. easily top 3. Forewarning: This album in NOT for everybody, and those used to typical MTV pop are going to be sorely disappointed when they go checking this out b/c its gotten rave reviews. However, if you are a fan of ambient you already know The Stars of the Lid are the best in the game today. I believe Allmusic summed up SOTL the best: "There are detractors -- or better yet, cynics -- who wonder why, and how, music like this, music that simply is, that evolves and returns to silence over and over again, is even necessary. The answer is simple: because the sound on And Their Refinement of the Decline is the sound of everything already after it has fallen apart. It is not a sound that dares to rebuild anything, speak anything, or declare anything. It simply wants to document what happens when it all goes to hell, and in that space, that quiet space, Stars of the Lid emerges with a sound that is as hopeful as it is funereal. It is simply the sound of "is-ness," something that becomes nothing, only to become something again."… Expand

I'm not sure what the critics here are thinking because they seem to have a nice chart going and then you look at the top 2 albums and they are just ambient noise. If i want to go to sleep, i'll be a machine that plays ocean noises. If i want to listen to music, i'll put on a record that actually includes instruments and chord progressions.

Have you ever seen the movie crash? This might be the soundtrack, at least it sounds like it.

I will be the first to admit that, in this genre, this album is flawless. Perfectly orchestrated drones and washing soundscapes. However, this is hardly a listenable album. At over 2 hours long, the album begins to literally drone, and become tedious. Some songs go on for 3 or more minutes too long, such as the 8-minute pieces and up. I did enjoy "Apreludes in c sharp major" and "A Meaningful Moment...," because they are simply beautiful. They are the only two I can sit and voluntarily listen to. All the others serve measly as background music. And actually, they're perfect for background music. You don't need to listen to them. However, this does not make for utter perfection like all too many critics are saying. I give it a 10 for minimalistic perfection, and ambience, and I give it a 3 for musical/listenable quality. Not bad, but definitely not half as good as everyone is saying.… Expand

Are you kidding me? this record is awful and boring... of all the other minimal electronic out there this is an overall 9.1 i cannot believe it.

It's kind of pleasant to listen to.. I guess.. But music critics these days are starting to piss me off. This reminds me so much of a bunch of "intellectuals" standing around critiquing a square painted over a white background or some other "minimalistic abstract piece" like it's a masterpiece. I could create the same sound at home on FL studio. Just open up some string effects, string together a bunch of major chords and there you have it: masterpiece.… Expand

As the music drifts in an out of consciousness I found myself doing the same thing. If I wanted to make a physical comparison, this album is something of a desert. Like the deserts dunes this undulating soundscape ultimately leads you nowhere until you die of thirst.

The next person who says they love this album MUST explain why it isn't just another 80s/90s sci-fi movie soundtrack. There is NOTHING novel about the sound or melody (both words are singular - not plural) in this album.

This is possibly the most beautiful music I have heard this year. This album is a subtle, yet powerful hybrid between modern classical and ambient music. Granted, this type of music is not for everyone, especially since people these days are always looking for instant gratification (i.e. MTV/ radio), and never seem to have enough to time to slow down and enjoy the latent complexities in life. The drone-based songs are melancholy yet soothing, and perfect for accompanying the more meditative and reflective moments in life. It took me weeks of listening to understand this album, but now stars of the lid are one of my favorite bands. So I encourage people to listen beneath the surface, and most of all be patient when trying to understand this album. You won… Expand

There's a difference between minimalism and beautiful minimalism, this one falls into the former.

Stars of the Lid have gotten me through my end of year exams. This was the soundtrack to my study sessions. I'd never heard of them before this.

Excellent music to fall asleep to. Not much more though. I guess people who like their music really, really slow, yet disturbingly dissonant at times, should give it a listen. At the end of cd1 I'm wondering how it would sound at double or triple speed.

This is one of my favourite albums of all time. "Even If You're Never Awake" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. People giving this album negative reviews because it is a "bunch of random tones slowly fading in and out" should educate themselves on drone and ambient music; it's like giving a negative score to Metallica because "there is too much of electric guitars and shouting" or to 2Pac, because "his music is just talking over a beat".… Expand

This album doesn't require an epiphany or hard work on the part of the listener -- you either like it or you don't. I'm not sure whether it was "hard to create" or not -- my guess is that it was not easy. But regardless, to me it's beautiful and revelatory. Don't worry about hype or fashion: just turn the music on, listen for a while, and decide whether you like it. If you don't like it, no problem.… Expand